I had my back molar pulled. They broke it badly while they were pulling it. They had to cut into the gums to get the rest of the roots out. I am on massive antibiotics, but the gums still became infected. To top it all off, the hole does NOT seem to be closing. Looks like this situation might be what they call "dry socket". I am getting food constantly caught in there, which is in turn causing more pain.

Has anyone else had this problem and did the gums eventually close over and heal properly? Thanks.
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That's normal for the "hole" to seem like it isn't closing. It can take up to 6 months for it to fully heal. About 2 or 3 months after it should be pretty close to being closed. If you are in pain it may be dry socket. It usually happens 4-5 days after the tooth is extracted, If it is going to happen. You'll have a nasty taste and smell in you mouth if you have dry socket. Just call your dental office and they can get you in to pack the socket with medication. We use a smashed up asprin and clove oil and that seems to work much better then the gauze and nasty smelling meds that most offices use. Ask your dr to a Monoject syringe..It's used to removed debris and works really well for getting food and such out of the socket. Make sure you are rinsing with warm salt water it helps get oxygen to the site and it will help it heal faster...Good Luck

Source(s):
I'm a dental assistant